Laurent Roy named Native Outreach CEO

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Laurent Roy is the new chief executive officer for Native Outreach. He takes over the position October 1.

Roy succeeds Allen Willier, who resigned after completing his two-year commitment to the job. Willier has no definite plans, but "a number of opportunities." "I am extremely pleased that a decision has been made on a new CEO, and that

a person of Laurent's calibre, who has displayed through his various affiliations the qualifications, has been chosen - someone who will carry on the directions already established in the progressive development of Native Outreach," Willier says of Roy's appointment.

He said the "selection "has been a process unto itself "as it appears the calibre

of Native administrators is improving, as evidenced by the applicants for this position.

Roy, 42, has had a varied career - most of it in the Native media.

He was public relations officer of Native Outreach at the time of his selection as CEO. Immediately prior to that he was an information officer for the Native People's Program of Census Canada.

Roy was the first director of print media for the Aboriginal Multi Media Society of Alberta and served in that capacity for nearly three years.

He also worked as a reporter, managing editor and editor of the Native People newspaper published the Alberta Native Communications Society, and as an economic development officer for the Metis Association of Alberta.

"I anticipate continued attempts by Laurent in the resolution of present concerns toward Native employment," Willier says.

He had words of appreciation for those who had helped him during his tenure as CEO.

"I just want to say thank you to all the agencies and individuals who with whom I came in contact during my tenure. I know beyond any doubt that the progress made to date would not have been possible without their support and enlightenment.

"I also want to thank the board of directors of Native Outreach for allowing me this opportunity.

"We know we have a long way to go and it is only with feedback from the Native people that we can develop a viable organization that serves their needs."

As for Roy, he said "it's going to be a challenging period of my life to develop viable plans that will alleviate some of the employment barriers facing our Native people.

"In order to properly address the employment barrier, part of the solution must come from the community level.

"The bottom-up approach is a must if Native Outreach is to meet its mandate of pre-employment training, placement and job counselling. These three component constituting Native Outreach must be streamlined to formulate operational plans to meet its objective," Roy says.

"In order for me as CEO to accurately reflect the employment needs of the Native people, our association needs their assistance in identifying and addressing those needs."